This act was witnessed by a police officer who, in obedience to the universal government mandate to harass productive people without cause, issued Fisher a $206 citation for "placing or depositing material on a public right of way."

Of course, city-operated snowplows in Pocatello and other communities routinely deposit material from city streets onto private property.

After the story was publicized, Police Chief Scott Marchand defended the actions of his revenue farmer, claiming that Fisher had created a "safety issue for all drivers on the road" and stating that he had "directed officers who are investigating complaints or who observe people moving snow from private property into city streets to issue citations."

Fisher had plowed his neighbor's yard every year during the past nine winters without attracting the attention of the local tax-gatherers.